Portable table.



E- N. STENlNG.

PORTABLE TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-21.19M-

1 1 4,724 Patented Feb. 6, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

VMW

ERNST NATHAN'AEL STENING, or soDERKoPInG, SWEDEN.

PORTABLE TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1917.

Application filed September 27, 1916. Serial No. 122,392.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNST NATHANAEL STEN-ING, a subject of the King of Sweden, and resident of Soderkoping, in the Kingdom of Sweden, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Tables, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention refers to a portable table which can easily be folded together so as to have about the same appearance as a narrow trunk. For this reason the pres ent table is well adapted for use on board sailing or motor boats, on making picnics and for other purposes.

The table in question is principally characterized by the fact that two leaves are hingedly located on opposite sides of the upper part of a frame in such a manner that in the folded up position the adjacent edges of the leaves are located close to each other. By this means there will only be one tight joint on the upper side of the table.

Another feature of my present invention consists in the legs of the table being fixed on the frame in such a manner that they can be turned in two directions in relation to the frame, namely so that they can be turned out angularly from the frame, when the table is to be used, or parallelly with the frame and introduced into the samewhen the table is to be folded together.

A further feature of the invention consists in providing on the frame suitable guides for receiving the legs when they occupy their outfolded position. Means are also provided for rigidly holding the legs together in said position.

Other features of the invention will be clear from the following description of a practical form of the same which is illustrated on the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a side view and Fig. 2 an end I view of the table in operative position. Fig.

3 shows the table turned upside down with the legs introduced into the-frame, the foremost leaf being left open for rendering visible the position of the legs. Fig. 4 is an end view of Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 shows details of the legs on a larger scale.

1 is a vertical frame having preferably a rectangular form. On the opposite upper sides'of the same the leaves 2 are fixed with hinges 3 in such a manner that inthe opera tive position the inner edges of the leaves will be located close to each other. The leaves are maintained in this position by means of a lath 4 pivotally mounted on the upper side of the frame, this lath being turned to the position shown when the leaves are folded up, said leaves being in this position supported by projections 20 on the leaves. When the table is to be folded together said lath is turned so as to be parallel with the frame. On each end portion of the frame 1 a couple of legs 5 are fastened in such a manner that they can be turned either outwardly to theposition shown in Fig. 2, or inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 3. For this purpose the legs may be provided with some sort of universal joints. According to the drawings this'joint consists of ahinge 6 rendering possible the turning of the legs at right angles to the frame. The turning of the legs parallel with the frame is made possible by the parts 7 of the hinges being pivotally mounted on a shoulder 9 by means of a rivet 8. screw or the like.

Just in front of the legs 5 there are notches 10 provided in the lower part of the frame the bottoms of which are inclined so that the notches will be adapted for receiving the legs in the out-folded position of the same. In this position the legs in each couple are rigidly held together by means of hooks 11 or other suitable devices.

The frame 1 is on its lower side provided with a handle 12 by means of which the table can be carried when folded together like a trunk. The leaves and the frame are provided with suitable locking devices 13, 14 for maintaining them assembled when the table is folded together. According to the drawings these locking devices consist of hooks and springs.

It is obvious that several parts may be constructed in other ways than those shown in the drawings without departing from the above mentioned scope of the invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: p

1. In a foldable table the combination of a frame; a pair of leaves hinged to the upper part of the frame and adapted to assume horizontal position or to fold against the frame; and legs secured within said frameby' a universal connection and: adapt ed to lie within the frame or to be swung outwardly and downwardly into position to support the table.

2. In a foldable table, the combination of a frame; a pair of leaves hinged to the up per part of the frame and adapted to assume horizontal position or to fold against the frame; legs secured within said frame by a universal connection and adapted to lie within the frame or to be swung outwardly and downwardly into position to support the table; and means for holding the legs rigidly in said last named position.

3. In a foldable table, the combination of a frame; a pair of leaves hinged to the upper part of the frame and adapted to assume horizontal position or to fold against the frame legs secured within said frame by a universal connection and adapted to lie within the frame or to be swung outwardly and downwardly into position to support the table; and means for holding the leaves in said horizontal position. A

4:. In a foldable table, the combination of a frame comprising upper, lower and end members; the lower member being provided with guide notches at both sides of both ends; leaves hinged at opposite edges of the upper member and adapted to assume a horizontal position or to form with the frame a box-like structure; and legs secured to the inner part of each end member by a universal connection and adapted to lie in said box-like structure or to move outwardly and downwardly into said notches respectively.

5. In a foldable table, the combination of a frame comprising upper, lower and end members; the lower member being provided with guide notches at both sides of both ends; leaves hinged at opposite edges of the upper member and adapted to assume a horizontal position or to form with the frame a box-like structure; legs secured to the inner part of each end member by a universal connection and adapted to lie in said box-like structure or to move outwardly and downwardly into said notches respectively; and means for holding the leaves in said horizontal position.

6. In a foldable table, the combination of a frame comprising upper, lower and end members, a pair of inclined guide notches being provided in respective opposite sides of each end portion of the lower member; a pair of leaves hinged to respective opposite sides of the upper member, the leaves being adapted to move outwardly into horizontal position and inwardly to form with said frame a boX-like structure; a bracket mounted on the inner face of each end member; a pair of legs secured to each bracket by a substantially universal connection whereby said legs may be folded inwardly to lie within said structure, outwardly and downwardly each to fit in said inclined guide notches; and means connecting together each pair of legs to hold the same in said notches.

7 In a foldable table, thecombination of a frame comprising upper, lower and end members, a pair of inclined guide notches being provided in respective opposite sides of each end portion of the lower member; a pair of leaves hinged to respective opposite sides of the upper member, the leaves being adapted to move outwardly into horizontal position and inwardly to form with said frame a box-like structure; a bracket mounted on the inner face of each end memher; a pair of legs secured to each bracket by a substantially universal connection whereby said legs may be folded inwardly to lie within said structure, or outwardly and downwardly each to fit in one of said in clined guide notches; means connecting together each pair of legs to hold the same in said notches; and means for holding the leaves in horizontal position.

8. In a foldable table, the combination of a frame comprising a single upper memher and a lower member; a pair of leaves hinged to respectively opposite edges of said upper member and projecting beyond said edges and adapted when in horizontal position to come closeto each other to form a single joint; and legs adapted to fold within the frame.

9. In a foldable table, the combination of a frame comprising a single upper member; a pair of leaves hinged to respectively opposite edges of said member and projecting beyond said edges and'adapted when in horizontal position to come close to each other to form-a single joint, the projecting parts thus covering said member; and legs adapted to fold within the frame.

10. In a foldable table, the combination of a frame comprising an upper member; a pair of leaves hinged to respectively opposite edges of said upper member, said leaves projecting beyond said edges and adapted when in horizontal position to come close to each other to form a single joint; a handle on the lower part of the frame; and legs connected to the frame. v

11. In a foldable-table, the combination of a frame comprising an upper and a lower member; a pair of leaves hinged to respectively opposite edges of said upper memher, said leaves projecting beyond said edges and adapted when in horizontal position to come close to each other to form a single joint, the projecting parts thusv covering said upper member when the leaves are in operative position; a handle on the outer face or the lower member; and legs connected to the frame.

12. In a foldable table, the combination of} a frame comprising upper and lower members; a pair of leaves hinged to re spectively opposite edges of the upper member, said leaves projecting beyond said edges and adapted When in horizontal position to come close to each other to form a single joint, the projecting parts thus covering said upper member When the leaves are in operative position; a handle on the outer face of the lower member; legs connected to the frame with a universal connection and adapted to be folded Within the frame; and means for holding the leaves in horizontal position.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

ERNST NATHANAEL STENING Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0." 

